Bullying

Bullying

Bullying: If you suspect your child is being bullied, here are five things you can do to help: 1. Talk to you kid. Find out about their social life. Tell them that if they're being bullied, it’s not their fault and the other child is the one to blame and has problems. Support them and help build their self-esteem back up. This support will help them feel more empowered to stand up for themselves throughout the process of stopping any bullying they might experience. 2. Talk to the School. This is your best resource. Schools are dedicating time and effort to stop bullying. This problem is too big to do alone! 3. Don’t allow your child to blame themselves for the bullying. Again this goes to building their self-esteem and confidence. 4. Have your child buddy up with friends as much as possible. Bullies target people that they think are vulnerable and easy marks. The more your child can form alliances and get protection from other people, the better they will feel about their situation, and they may also build stronger friendships. 5. Teach your child to stand up for themselves without being violent. Tell them to walk tall and have a plan when they start to get bullied. You can even rehearse with them so they can practice responses. Having a plan will make them feel empowered.

Bullying: If you suspect your child might be the bully. 1. Find out why they are bullying. It may be as simple as the child thinks it’s not wrong, or it’s a way to make friends.2. Let your child know it’s unacceptable! Set clear boundaries and consequences if you find out they continue bullying.3. Talk to the school. The schools are the experts and they want to help stop bullying.4. Let them know that bullying is bad for them. Don’t take any pride in your child being the aggressor. Children who are bullies are more likely to have mental health and substance abuse problems as they get older. If you intervene now, your child is better off.5. Teach your child tolerance and respect. Model good behavior. Don’t allow them to use bigoted language. You are their primary role model and teacher. By teaching and showing them good behavior, they’ll be better off throughout their entire lives.

Bullying: If you suspect your child witnesses bullying.1. Tell them to speak up! Kids are often afraid that if they speak up, they may become the next target. Good people are all safer when they work together. Being a champion for someone else will make them feel better about themselves and will make their entire school safer.2. Have them report the problem. If even one child is bullied, it diminishes the entire school. Have you child talk to you and talk to the teachers.3. Have them be a buddy for someone that is being bullied. Your child can be a chaperon for someone less fortunate. This is excellent at instilling leadership skills and pride in your child. 4. Encourage them get involved with anti-bullying campaigns. Again, teaching your child to be part of the greater good will make them feel better about themselves … and it looks good on a resume too.